April 2021 - Fr. Conceicao Rodrigues College of Engineering
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
April 2021 Agnel Ashram News 1 April 2021
FR. AGNEL GOD’S BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN NEED
ASHRAM YOUR SPONSORSHIP SCHEME
NEWS T he Scheme offers the
Benefactors/Well-wishers
an opportunity to share in the
April 2021 noble work of bringing up over
600 poor children sheltered
Contents in our Homes (Balbhavan) at
different parts of the country
Editorial 3 (BANDRA, VASHI, PUNE, GOA
& GREATER NOIDA) People
Easter Joy: A Call For have the option to choose
A New Beginning In Life 4 Full Sponsorship or Mini
Sponsorship. The sponsorship
Easter through different amount may be paid lump
Lens 5 sum or on installment basis at
their convenience.
Earth Day 2021 6
• Full Sponsorship 10,500/-
Stumbling upon some per year. Rs.875/- per
Easter lessons 7 month.
• Mini Sponsorship (Co-
Agnel Happenings 9 sponsorship) Rs. 2000/- for
one year.
Joy of Giving 16 • NB :- Apart from this,
people have the facility
to sponsor Lunch/Dinner/
Fr. Agnel Blessings 17
Snacks/Groceries/Statio-
nery etc. please contact the
Out of their Bounty 18
Ashram Office for further
details.
The poor children are provided with free accommodation, food,
education, medication and moreover with Technical Training and
the right direction according to their flair and talent. They are
Printed & Published by:
enabled to settle down in a life of their own with a decent earning
Fr.Peter D’Souza, sfx on
behalf of Agnel Publications and status.
Editor:
Fr. Jose Alarico Carvalho, sfx. Of all the activities, initiated by Agnel Ashram Fathers, Balbhavan
Printed at: a Home for the destitute children stands apart with great pride. It
S.B.M Printers runs on donations received from kind-hearted people. Through
C-130, Ansa Industrial our dedicated service, rendered for the last 61 years, thousands
Estate, Andheri East, of poor children, who could have been, otherwise, a burden on
Mumbai - 400072 the society or even anti-social elements, have become respectable
Place of Publication: citizens of the country and are well settled down in their life.
Fr. Agnel Ashram, Bandstand,
Bandra, Mumbai - 400 050.
Single Copy Price: Rs. 15 Please contact : Rev. Fr. Superior,
Annual Subscription: Rs. 150 Fr. Agnel Ashram, Bandstand,
Bandra (W), Mumbai – 400 050.
Tel.: 022-67114000.
Agnel Ashram News 2 April 2021
From the Guest Editor
Jesus is Risen! Alleluia! -Leon Bent
T he Christian Faith stands or falls with the
truth of the testimony that, Christ is risen
from the dead (cf.1 Cor.15:14-15).
for the conquest of death? In terms of world
history, Jesus’ Resurrection is almost unbelievable,
improbable; it is filled with mystery.
The miracle of a resuscitated corpse would Paul attempts to enter this world of sheer silence:
indicate that Jesus’ Resurrection was equivalent 3 “ For I handed on to you as of first importance
to the raising of the son of the widow of Nain what I in turn had received: that Christ died for
(Lk.7:11-17), the daughter of Jairus (Mk.5:22-24; our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 4 and
35-43ff) and Lazarus (Jn.11:1-44). These people that he was buried, and that he was raised on the
returned to their former lives and ultimately died third day in accordance with the scriptures, 5 and
definitively. that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred
Jesus’ Resurrection was about breaking out into
brothers and sisters[a] at one time, most of whom
a new form of life that was no longer subject
are still alive, though some have died.[b] 7 Then
to the law of dying and becoming – a life that
he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8
opens up a new dimension of human existence.
Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared
In Jesus’ Resurrection a new possibility of human
also to me.”
existence is attained that, affects everyone and
opens up a new kind of Jesus’ death is of another
future for mankind. Jesus has kind: it is occasioned, not
entered the vast realm of God by the presumption of men,
himself, and it is from there but by the humility of God.
that he reveals himself to his Jesus’ death is rooted, not in
followers. the sentence of expulsion
from Paradise, but in
With an initial hesitation and
Isaiah’s “Suffering Servant
astonishment, the apostles
Songs.” Jesus’ death achieves
could no longer ignore the
reconciliation and expiation
reality that it is truly Jesus. He
– his death becomes a light
is alive; he has spoken to us; he
for the nations.
has allowed us to touch him,
even if he no longer belongs The empty tomb does not
to the realm of the tangible prove the Resurrection.
in the normal way. Jesus Mary Magdalene, in John’s
now lives anew and forever, account, found an empty
in the power of God. This tomb and assumed that
explains the unique character someone must have taken
of the Resurrection accounts: Jesus’ body away. Hence,
they speak of something it is undeniable that the
paradoxical, that surpasses all empty tomb is no proof
experience, and, yet, is utterly of the Resurrection. In
real and present. Paul’s confessional statement, it is not explicitly
stated that the tomb was empty, but this is
The Resurrection accounts certainly speak of
clearly presupposed. All four Gospels speak of it
something outside our world of experience –
extensively in their Resurrection accounts.
a new dimension of reality is revealed. Is not
creation actually waiting for this last and highest For a theological understanding of the empty
“evolutionary leap,” for the union of the finite tomb, a passage from St. Peter’s Pentecost sermon
with the infinite, for the union of man and God, strikes one as important, when Peter, for the first
Contd. on pg. 14
Agnel Ashram News 3 April 2021
Easter Joy: A Call For
A New Beginning In Life
- Fr R Antony Jerald MMI
‘The message that Christ has risen is the proclaimed effectively about Christ. They became
contagion of hope. For many, this is an Easter of the tool for the growth of the new way and it
solitude lived amid the sorrow and hardship that was the outcome of their first Easter celebration.
the pandemic is causing, from physical suffering Hence, Easter represents a new beginning and
to economic difficulties.’ These are the words of the most important new beginning in the life of
Pope Francis last year during Covid-19 curfew apostles and the early Christians.
but we are not far from the same situation even
New life in the world
today around the world due to the second wave.
The physical and economic difficulties that are The biblical new beginning gives us hope that
faced by humanity affected the normality of the things will change in life and we will experience
society to the core but it is hope which pushes joy and happiness of life again. Noah, Moses
people forward towards a new beginning at every and apostles had hope that things will change
unforgettable damage. Hence, this celebration in life and they experienced the same but the
of Easter joy is a call for a new beginning for problem with the world today is, we lose hope at
all of us. We try this, being inspired by the the face of the challenges we face in our life. We
words of Pope Francis which he expressed in are choked by the issues which continue to pose
the Easter homily – “The Lord is alive. He hurdles in the progress of our life. We are called
is living and he wants to rise again in all to rise above the social, political and economic
those faces that have buried hope, buried struggles because Easter reminds us that we have
dreams, and buried dignity.” a living saviour who can heal our brokenness and
despair and replace it with hope. God made a
New beginnings in the Bible
way for us to restart by freeing ourselves of the
Humanity that is facing the toughest challenge burdens that weigh us down. Resurrection of
at any given moment should remember that Jesus gave new hope and new life to the disciples
everything is temporary and everything will of Jesus and it will be true to us also as we
change with a new beginning for renewed celebrate this joy of Easter this year.
spirit and life. We could notice few important
Life before and after Resurrection
new beginnings in the Sacred Scripture which
enumerates the new life that the chosen people ‘Jesus is risen,’ is a message of joy and
experienced. First and foremost we look into the confidence in the life of the believers. Before
life of Noah and the flood. Noah survived the the announcement of Jesus’ resurrection by
universal deluge of the earth that wiped out all Mary Magdalene the believers shut themselves
life. Noah became a forerunner for those who in darkness and lost hope of their freedom and
would be given new life. Secondly, we see Moses above all worried about the danger to their
and the people of Israel where God helped the life from the rulers and officials of the Jewish
Israelites as they left Egypt to pass through the religion. Fear overwhelmed their life. They tried
Red sea. Israelites were set free from the slavery to save their life by closing themselves behind the
of Egypt and were given a new beginning. They doors. But, everything turned opposite when they
travelled towards the Promised Land. Finally, we heard that the Lord is risen. Their experience of
focus on apostles who had a new beginning after resurrection of Jesus moved them from darkness
experiencing the risen Lord. Being strengthened to light, despair to hope and worry of danger of
by the power of the Holy Spirit the apostles who death to sacrifice of life for their faith in Christ.
were behind the closed doors, came out and Subsequently, the light of risen Christ which
Contd. on pg. 16
Agnel Ashram News 4 April 2021
Easter through different lens
- Donna D’souza
A s a child, Easter meant 2 things, death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ and Easter
Eggs! And one really doesn’t have to think much
repeat what he had done to his people during the
time of Noah. Easter Eggs, on the other hand,
represents Jesus’ emergence from the tomb and
about which one was on our mind the entirety resurrection.
of Lent. However, as age passes one by, the years
of hearing about what Jesus went through for us While we learn from the suffering of Jesus,
and our sins begins to play more importance. we should also focus on his compassion and
forgiveness towards people.The gospels read
“Father, forgive them; for they do know not what during Easter show us the true selflessness of
they do” (Luke 23:34), resounds in Church every Jesus, beginning with his first miracle of the
year, but the meaning of those words change as transformation of water into wine at the wedding
time goes by. As a child, feast at Cana, right to the
the thought was always Jesus not only taught us end where he doesn’t think
that those words referred through life, but through his about his suffering on the
to the ‘mean and bad’ men cross but rather sees that
who tortured and harassed death as well. With a few his mother still has a son
Jesus; from the Jewish but hard-hitting words Jesus in the disciple John and
leaders who demanded last but more importantly,
‘walks the path he preaches
him to be crucified, to the he asks his Father to
Roman soldiers who beat of’, showing us before asking forgive us. Jesus not only
him up, to even Pontius us to follow, how to be taught us through life,
Pilot who succumbed to but through his death as
the pressures put on him loving, forgiving, selfless and well. With a few but hard-
and stayed silent and let compassionate. hitting words Jesus ‘walks
everything happen. As a the path he preaches of ’,
young adult, the realization showing us before asking
that it’s not merely those ‘mean and bad’ men us to follow, how to be loving, forgiving, selfless
who those words refer to, but to us as well, right and compassionate. He showed us how to love our
from us misusing God gifts, to us not showing neighbours as we loved ourselves, how to forgive
one another the compassion that we expect in without being asked for forgiveness, how to share
return. When younger, the Maundy Thursday the little we have and have it multiplied and how
must have was the hot cross buns, Good Friday to love those suffering and help them. Easter
had the boiled gontvaals and Easter had the best and lent are yearly reminders of how to better
of all, the Easter Eggs! However, growing up has ourselves. It shows us that we may sometimes
bought into light the meaning behind some of faulter in our ways, but like the resurrection of
these foods, like for example the buns depicted Christ, we too should rise up from it to better
the door of the tomb Jesus was laid to rest in, versions of ourselves.
the cross on the buns showed the cross he was
crucified on and the spices represent the spices Lent was always a fast of compulsion, Jesus
put on his body to preserve it after he died. The died on the cross for you so you should give up
gontvaals reference scriptures which says beans something you love for him. Now, lent is a fast
can sprout unless they fall to the floor and die, of choice, Jesus suffered so much to save us, can
which shows us how God sent his son to earth we do something to show him how much we love
to die for our sins because he couldn’t bear to him?
Agnel Ashram News 5 April 2021
Earth Day 2021
- Marcus Lobo
2 2nd April is celebrated as ‘Earth Day’ the
world over and is a time for people everywhere
to unite to save our planet. No matter our race,
countries and lifting environmental issues onto
the world stage, giving a huge boost to recycling
efforts worldwide and paving the way for the
creed, station in life, or country of origin, one 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de
thing that unites humanity is our dependance on Janeiro.The Earth Day movement continued to
our planet for our sustenance. Be it the food we gain momentum in its push for environmental
eat, the air we breathe of the water we drink, causes with Earth Day 2000 focusing onglobal
we are dependent on our planet. However, warming and a push for clean energy. It involved
since the past 100 years or so as humanity has the participation of about 5,000 environmental
made great leaps and strides in the field of groups in a record 184 countries reaching out to
engineering and technology, it has had to face hundreds of millions of people.
grave issues such as growing pollution, climate
Today, Earth Day is one of the largest secular
change etc. The industrial and plastic revolution
observances in the world, as a day of action
which made it possible to manufacture and
to change human behavior and create global,
transport cheaply and in vast amounts, almost
national and local policy changes.Despite the
any product imaginable has led to a crises of
global pandemic, we can contribute to the noble
waste management with landfills and dumps the
cause of Earth Day through the savvy use of social
world over choked with plastic waste. In light of
media as well as through the donation of our time,
such dire issues, it is imperative for the world to
talents and economic resources to organizations
unite together to pressurize governments and
and causes that support environmental issues.
industries to seek solutions to the current issues
In our own lives we can begin contributing to
and to promote more environmentally friendly
a positive change by adopting green habits,
alternatives.
such as reducing water usage through taking
The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 in shorter showers, fixing leaking faucets, reducing
America and was mainly promoted by Senator usage of air conditioners, maintaining vehicles
Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin who was and conducting regular PUC checks to ensure
inspired to create Earth Day upon seeing the reduced pollution, refusing plastic bags from
Santa Barbara oil spill from an airplane. The local vendors etc. At a societal level too, there are
first Earth Day organized on April 22nd 1970, many initiatives we can promote that can reduce
was a huge success inspiring around 20 million our environmental impact at a local level without
Americans to demonstrate against the harmful needing to join protests and rallies.For e.g., we
impacts of 150 years of industrialization. It led to can promote rain water harvesting initiatives
the creation of the United States Environmental in our building societies, we can help with wet
Protection Agency and the passage of laws like waste management through the setup of small
the National Environmental Education Act, the biogas plants in our building societies, we can
Clean Air Act etc. support the installation and maintenanceof solar
panels to reduce electricity consumption from
1990 marked a turning point in the history of
the grid during peak demand hours etc. We
Earth Day when it was taken to the global stage
can also approach local municipal corporators
and became a global platform for rallying pro-
and legislators to help set up drop off points for
environment causes. It was waged with stronger
electronic waste, plastic wastes etc. to enable their
marketing tools, greater access to television and
efficient and appropriate disposal or recycling by
radio, and multimillion-dollar budgets. It was
relevant recycling organizations. Local municipal
successful in mobilizing 200 million people in 141
bodies can also be encouraged to set up to
Contd. on pg. 14
Agnel Ashram News 6 April 2021
Stumbling upon some Easter Lessons
- Priya Sugathan
I t’s the age of the internet, so much so the
world has not only shrunk in distance, but
you can also carry it in your smartphone around
possible through a new artificial intelligence-
driven app called the DeepFake technology that
lets users create life-like animated images out of
with you. Every aspect of our lives today has old photographs. It’s not surprising that the tech
been touched by this mode of technology - right has caught on in a big way around the world,
from entertainment to shopping and marketing including India, and is seen as an app of renewal
for groceries. The pandemic and subsequent and resurrection. I was also struck by the timing
lockdown in 2020 has also hastened the process of it - which is during the season of Lent. Looking
by a seven-fold and made even the personal back, I realised that some of my life lessons and
moments shared with our family, friends and loved revelations came through ‘external’ moments like
ones virtual - be it birthday celebration, reunion these around the Easter season. I didn’t have to
and even, a wedding celebration. Prayer services, go to a quiet corner and get myself to focus on
too, had to go virtual since last year in a bid to anything specific or chant, I literally stumbled
contain the pandemic. In such a scenario when upon them. Take for instance, the time I was
everything is so visual and virtual, the internet or chosen to play Jesus Christ, albeit for a shadow
any of its technological play.
avatar s is the last
thing to be associated Let’s rewind to the
with spiritualism. late 80s to a boarding
That privilege is only in a hill station called
associated with any M at h e r a n : I t w a s
activity that internalises the Holy Week and
an experience, like it Sr. Josepha, a feisty
does in meditation, Ang lo-Indian nun,
and silence. But is it put together a shadow
not possible that an play that captured the
activity that externalizes last journey of Christ
an internal reflection till his Ascension. And
or thought can open she, for some reason,
the door to a deeper picked me out from
understanding of among the numerous
an experience or boarders - boys and
phenomenon? This girls - to play Christ. I
thought crossed my was clearly all ‘wrong’
mind, when I found for the role - not only
myself transfixed to my was I of the wrong
computer screen as a gender as a teenage
young handsome man girl, but also the wrong
in a monochrome picture moved, his familiar big body type, but the nun seemed convinced with
black eyes looked around in a hesitating manner, her choice, and I dared not ask, “Why me?”
before looking straight into the camera and Somewhere between the tomfoolery during the
smiling warmly. And with it the seven-year-wall rehearsals, something caught my eyes while
of separation from my father who passed over to enacting the Garden of Gethsemane sequence.
another realm in 2013, seemed to blur, infusing I’d invariably stumble, every time at the same
in me a burst of new energy. This was made spot, the same way, when I had to utter the
lines, “Father, if it’s possible take this cup away
Agnel Ashram News 7 April 2021
from me... (pause) Yet not as I will, but thy will be this technology is often used by celebrities in
done.” It would take me some time to come out the world of entertainment, it’s not surprising
of that moment and join the humorous banter to hear them quip: “I could always come back
around me. It dawned on me that perhaps, it is as a hologram.” However, can you imagine the
in this moment in the Garden of Gethsemane impact it would have when you are reflecting on
that we get to see Jesus Christ in all his glory and the Stations of the Cross that have actually been
weakness - as an evolved being he let himself recreated around you? The monastic nuns of
go through the entire gamut of fear, pain, the Parthenon of Sts. Konstantinos and Helen
acceptance and the pulling together of will and on the Aegean island of Chios had a brush with
courage, like any human being, to go through holograms, but for a different reason - it was
the journey chalked out for him. This ‘moment’, to exhibit their hand-crafted Chios Crucifixion
for me, has become (and may feature in my at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
future narrations), the Museum. The artifact is
most important event I may be among the few sought-after for its hand-
while reflecting on Christ’s painting of Jesus on the
life as it really sets the tone faithful who has never cross and crafting of metal
for how things turn out flowers, the embroidery
eventually. It’s a different undertaken fasting during the and hand-weaving of satin
thing that I also have the fabric stitched with pearl-
Garden of Gethsemane Lent season, however that did headed pins. There are
topping my wish-list of also talks of a hologram
places to visit - just to not stop me from being in the Bible in the future. As
be in the place that once it stands today it’s an
allowed this evolved being
forefront of the many church expensive technology, but
in its space and helped when it does become an
activities as a child
him through a crucial integral part of our lives,
moment in his life. Now, I’d think it would add to
this is a revelation that I the spiritual experience.
stumbled across from a very physical medium of
theatre; perhaps, I may have also entered a form Last, but not the least, can we leave film’s behind?
of meditation without realizing it. One of the biggest sources of entertainment
and information, it is also the most derided and
I may be among the few faithful who has never the last thing to be associated with spirituality.
undertaken fasting during the Lent season, And yet, Mel Gibson’s 2004-film, The Passion
however that did not stop me from being in of the Christ gives us one of the most cathartic
the forefront of the many church activities as a experiences based on the life of Jesus Christ.
child - be it through prayer services, choir and Today, it is considered a must-watch, especially
readings. Years later, I realized that I connected during Lent and Easter as it captures the last 12
better with the Creator, when I was in a hill hours of Christ. While the intensity of the film
station than in cities like Mumbai. What’s more, and the graphic portrayal of Christ’s sufferings
the Stations of the Cross were a more immersive hit you in the gut, it also made you reflect on his
experience when it was conducted there. It life. The unusual trope that Gibson employs in
makes me wonder if the rugged landscape his film, like the use of androgynous character
of the hill station helped me transport to the to symbolize Satan’s seductive appeal also opens
Biblical times and made the journey seem real, your mind to interpretations that go beyond
if not the real thing. Today, you don’t need to what we’ve known till now. It makes you think
go in search of a rugged landscape, it’s after all and when a medium of visuals is able to do that,
also the age of holograms, where the deceased wouldn’t our spiritual lives be enriched by it?
can be brought back to life virtually. And since
Agnel Ashram News 8 April 2021
Heart & Sole Run 4 on Virtual platform
By the Rotaract Club of Fr. CRCE, Bandra
A lump sum of 450+ participants nationwide
along with Rotaract Club of Fr.CRCE
contributed and made a much needed difference
charity and enhancing their mood and health.
A virtual leader board was created after the run
on our website displaying the positions of all
in the society. the runners. All the participants & winners were
couriered their individual prizes, finisher medals
Despite the limitations and extreme hardships
& their personalised official HSR4 running
caused by the global pandemic, Rotaract Club
t-shirts.
of Fr. CRCE has still managed to organize yet
another edition of its flagship event The Heart An Expo Day was also organised at Fr. Conceicao
and Sole Run 4, which took place on the 13th Rodrigues College of Engineering for the runners
and 14th of March,2021 going Pan-India this were they could come to collect their t-shirts
year. before the run on 12th, March 2021 with all the
government rules and restrictions in mind along
The run was organized in association with
with routine temperature check, sanitisation and
two NGO’s Community Outreach Program
social distancing for everyone present at that
and Fr Agnel Ashram. Community Outreach
time.
Programme has worked to provide a platform
for the holistic development of women, children, Being a great success over the years and looking
and the communities in which they live. They at the colossal impact of The Heart and Sole
provide residents with critical services, focused Run 4, many reputed brands came forward to
on supporting at-risk children and empowering be the sponsors of this event such as Citizen
women. These services include access to quality Credit Co-operative Bank, Mumbai Wellness
education, shelter, nutritious meals, health Centre, IELTS Magic Score, Case Khazanaa,
services, and the means to better lives through Coding Ninjas, Gold’s Gym and Manori Koli
vocational training. Fr. Agnel Ashram has been Gramastha Mandal. The Heart and Sole Run
working constantly towards providing for the 4 became a great success with participants not
under privileged children over decades and just from Maharashtra but from all over India.
we are proud to support them in this noble A few states including Karnataka, Kerala, West
endeavour of theirs. Bengal, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh,
Uttar Pradesh, Tamil-Nadu, Himachal Pradesh,
The Heart and Sole Run 4 consisted of 4 run
Haryana & Delhi. In spite of the pandemic
categories namely:
situation and stressful factor a massive figure of
• Grit Run(15 Km), over 450+ runners was achieved. The persistent
• Heat Run (10 Km), support of Ms Gloria Moraes by being there
• Dream Run (5 Km), for us over the years and her constant help and
guidance, Mr. Abbas Shahiwala for his ceaseless
• Citizen Credit Run (1.5Km).
support from Rotary Club of Bombay, Bandra
The runs happened virtually by online registrations and his pleasant and wise suggestions , Dr.
while keeping in mind the ingenuousness of Sujata Deshmukh our faculty in charge & Dr.
the run, all of which was hosted by our official Deepak Bhoir our Dean of student Affairs for
ticketing partner you too can run. bridging the gap between us students and the
college management and their constant support,
The runners had the freedom to run from encouragement and guidance & lastly our
anywhere and at anytime between the 13th and principal madam Dr. Srija Unnikrishnan and our
14th of March, 2021. Further on, they had to Director Rev. Fr Valerian D’souza without whom
upload the screenshot of the run details to finally this event would be impossible; all in all helped
get done with their part of donating towards
Agnel Ashram News 9 April 2021
us turn The Heart & Sole Run 4 into the great this endeavour of ours and thank everyone for
success it is. We are grateful to all of them and being a part of our journey.
everyone else who helped and supported us in
Achievers of Fr. Agnel School, Vashi
S wimmers from Fr. Agnel School, Vashi
have won many accolades at the National
and the International level over the past 15
has to her credit several medals in open sea races
at the National level too.
years. The Talent Search Program in swimming Neel and Mantra both marked their debut in
endeavours to spot budding swimmers at an early solo open sea swimming by successfully crossing
stage so that they can be groomed to be the stars the Arabian Sea off Mumbai Coast this week.
of the future. Starting from Elephanta Island, they made their
way towards the Gateway of India, a distance
Neel Shekatkar and Mantra Kurhe are two of approximately 14 km. Neel completed his
swimmers born out of the Talent Search attempt in 2 hrs and 45 minutes on 5th March
program, a brainchild of Agnels Head Coach while Mantra swam the same distance on 21st
Gokul Kamath. Gokul, an ex Agnelite and a March in a time of 2 hrs and 51 minutes.
Chhatrapati awardee in coaching has to his credit
over 700 medals at the National level and over It is well known that most swimmers prefer to
a dozen international medals. He and his team race in the safe confines of the swimming pool,
of coaching have been working for several years but both these swimmers took up the challenge
at the Agnels swimming pool to find talented of open sea swimming. Both swims started off
swimmers like Neel and Mantra. the jetty at Elephanta Island around dawn and
supported by the favourable tide, they made
At age 11, both swimmers have won several their way across the open sea. Undaunted by the
medals at the district and the state level. Mantra waves and grueling conditions, Neel and Mantra
Agnel Ashram News 10 April 2021showed great courage and determination to Strait among others. She is a Shiv Chhatrapati
reach the Gateway of India in the fastest time Awardee by the Government of Maharashtra.
possible.
On completion of the swim, Neel had the
The swims were authenticated by the Observers fortune of being felicitated by Jt. Commissioner
from Swimming Association of Maharashtra. In of Police, Mumbai, Shri Vishwas Nangre Patil
fact Mantra Kurhe’s observer was none other who is himself a youth icon and a well known
than Rupali Repale who is no less than a legend personality. Mantra was handed over her trophy
of open water swimming. Rupali has to her and certificate by Shri Kishore Shetty, Treasurer
credit many successful solo attempts including of the Swimming Association of Maharashtra.
the English Channel, the Palk Strait, the Cool
Shaping The Next Generation Award
A waaz Today, a leading infotainment
channel in Navi Mumbai held their Annual
Programme - the Navi Mumbai Star Awards
Function 2021 in Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium
Agnel Ashram News 11 April 2021on 18th March 2021. The citation emphasized the importance of
early childhood education and recognized her
The programme began with the traditional
immense contribution towards moulding young
ceremony of lighting the lamp by eminent
minds, inculcating values and facilitating holistic
personalities of Navi Mumbai and was followed
personality development through extra-curricular
by the Felicitation and Award Presentation
activities amongst children of an impressionable
Programme.
age, right from 1991.
It was indeed a proud moment for Father Agnel
The Award was presented by Dr Vijay Patil,
Multipurpose School & Junior College, Vashi
an eminent educationist and Chancellor of D
when ‘Shaping The Next Generation Award’
Y Patil University in the presence of an august
was presented to Mrs. Rupa Sudhakar- Head,
gathering.
Pre-Primary and Primary Section.
Inter-University Selection 18th National
Trials for World University Federation Cup Junior
Games 2021 Atheletic Championship
H eld in Kalinga stadium, Bhubaneshwar,
Odisha from 07/03/2021 to 10/03/2021. T he Event held from 25/01/2021 to
27/01/2021 in Tatya Tope Stadium,
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
A total of 8 athletes chosen to represent Mumbai
University, out of which 2 athletes- Saurabh
Saurabh Naitam secured the 1st position (gold) in
Naitam and Rosalin Lewis, train in Agnel
the Under 20 boys age group, 100m run event,
Gymkhana, Vashi.
with a timing of 10.51 seconds.
Saurabh Naitam secured the 1st place (gold) in
the men’s category 100m run event, with a timing
of 10.54 seconds.
Rosalin Lewis came in 5th in the women’s
category 200m run event.
The selection process of athletes for World
University Games (which will be held in Chengdu,
China) in August
Agnel Ashram News 12 April 2021Value Time, Value Life!
Ibonio D’ Souza.
“ Doest thou love life? Then do not squander
time, for that’s the stuff life is made of.”
Benjamin Franklin was spot on when he gave
to invest your time today in the direction of your
tomorrow.
us this now famous quote. In fact, his life was ‘That on which you invest time grows’. If your
run by this ideal, that you should live life to its business has been doing well, it is because you
fullest. Franklin did quite a lot in his lifetime, have been investing time on it. If your social circle
contributing many things to the advancement of is expanding, it is because you have been investing
science, technology, politics, and other important time on it. If your family life is deteriorating, it
areas of America’s history. is because you have not been investing time on
your family. If your relationship with a friend
Time management can be an effective anchor on is not what it used to be, it is because you have
which life can be built with consistency in spite not been investing time on that relationship. So
of all the other variables. Time management also, your health may be deteriorating if you
is first an attitude and only then a skill. Time have not given due time and attention to it. The
management is first an attitudinal change opposite is also true: ‘That which is starved of
towards valuing time. time, shrinks’.
Time management is in
knowing what you want Value time and you will
in return for the time you There is more time than we value life. However, what
invest. The real challenge you do with your time
can use, if we begin to use depends on what you want
is not to manage time
but to manage yourself. to achieve with your life.
it wisely. The main secret to Life cannot be lived by the
There is more time than finding time is to identify the clock. It is lived through the
we can use, if we begin heart. You can’t aspire to be
to use it wisely. The main time stealers and get rid of a world champion in chess
secret to finding time without giving enough time
is to identify the time them. to chess. Life is all about
stealers and get rid of focus. Give maximum time
them because time gets to developing your talents,
used up even if we don’t use them. Contrary to the world will applaud you for your talents. You
conventional time management, first compile a can reach where you want to reach tomorrow,
‘Not To Do List’. These are all the redundant only if you invest enough of your time today in
roles of your life that keep robbing you of your the direction of your tomorrow.
precious time, and vouch not to give those any
more of your time. In essence, time management is not about
organizing activities with reference to the clock,
Time management is not about tools; after all, a but about organizing yourself and your life with
fool with a tool is still a fool. Time management reference to what you want to be in life. Where
is about self-management. It is the ability to say your time goes, there your future comes. The
‘yes’ to what is important, and more importantly, greatest compliment one can give oneself is to be
the discipline to say ‘no’ to ‘you don’t have to do’ able to say, “‘I had enough time for everything
aspects of life. If you know where you want to that I believed was important.”
be tomorrow, then the only way to get there is
Agnel Ashram News 13 April 2021Contd. from pg 8 - Jesus is Risen Alleluia
time, openly proclaims Jesus’ Resurrection to the feared, a “ghost” or a “spirit”: He has “flesh and
assembled crowds. He communicates it, not in bones” (Lk.24:36-43). In his appearances to the
his own words, but by quoting Psalm 16:8-10. apostles he asks for something to eat...has real
See Acts 2:26-28. Jesus rose according to the fellowship...yet, it is only in the vanishing that he
Scriptures, and Psalm 16 must have been seen as becomes truly recognizable. Jesus “appears to his
key scriptural evidence for the early Church. Here disciples,” in the Acts of the Apostles, “speaks to
they found a clear statement that Christ, will not them,” and sits at Table with them, in his Spirit-
see bodily corruption, and that he must have truly Body!”
risen. The Risen Lord’s Table fellowship with his
Jesus’ resurrected Presence is entirely physical followers, is the New Covenant Fellowship that we
in his subsequent appearance, yet, he is not now celebrate in the Eucharist every single day,
bound by physical laws of space and time. In worldwide!
this remarkable real physicality and the freedom Now, with Thomas, let us place our hands into
from the constraints of the body, we see the Jesus’ pierced side and confess:”My Lord and my
special mysterious nature of the risen Lord’s new God!” (Jn.20:28).
existence. Jesus is not as the disciples initially
Contd. from pg 6 - Earth Day
separate wet and dry waste collection services Aarey Milk Colony in Mumbai declared as a
and to tie-up with compost manufacturers to reserve forest in addition to getting the location
ensure proper waste management at the ward of the car shed for the metro project relocated
level. We should also use social media to promote to Kanjurmarg. While some may argue whether
environmental events like tree plantation drives, the results achieved were worth the delay to the
paper collection drives, as well as citizen project and the loss of money invested at the
education drives that are conducted by various Aarey site, one cannot argue the value of the
environmental organizations throughout our message delivered; that governments cannot take
cities. an irresponsible attitude towards management
of forest resources when planning infrastructure
For those of us choosing an activist approach
projects. It made clear once and for all that
towards protecting the environment, we must
educated and aware citizens will not sit idly by
first educate ourselves about or local and national
and accept government excuses of environmental
level environmental issues and participate in
sacrifices made for the greater good.
forums and discussions on these topics. A good
example of such educated activism has been the As we celebrate and participate in Earth Day
successful opposition to the proposal to cut into 2021, let us remember that the actions and
the Aarey forest for the Mumbai Metro project. behaviors we implement today will not only
Concerned citizen groups were able to not only help improve our current situation, but also
put a halt to the activities, but also pressurize help create a safer, healthier and more diverse
the state through peaceful protests and savvy use tomorrow for our future generations.
of social media to get 800 acres of land in the
All your losses will be made up to you in the
resurrection, provided you continue faithful. By the
vision of the Almighty I have seen it.
~Joseph Smith, Jr.
Agnel Ashram News 14 April 2021Living in the Why is it Good?!
No, death cannot be good,
present No, bruises and hurts are bad!
Each day we dream Betrayal is even worse,
The future seems clear But your death is called Good!
We set out like streams I had only wondered why!
Only to be stopped with fear. Bruised, broken and bloodied, when you fell
Three times when carrying the cross...
Looking back on the past To call it good, it’d be gross!
Great and tragic the tales What’s good in being jeered at, spat upon and
Plans are made to last mocked,
Yet our journey fails. More so, by the ones who had, after you,
flocked!
Suffering the worst ever ordeal you finally die,
Then to whom do I go
No one mourns, there’s not a sigh!
Future and past don’t show
But then the “good” starts after there,
What I seek, where do I find
The partition between God and man did tear!
I need so much a clear mind.
What was once lost you found it again,
Through all your suffering and pain,
The answer dawned on me
Love triumphed, without disdain,
How foolish I have been
You rose from the dead and forever now,
What I search I have found
Death is defeated and thus is established,
Right here right now
Christ’s glorious reign!
- Randall D’souza
-Joanita DSouza (Santamaria)
Agnel Ashram News 15 April 2021There is no Joy Greater
than the Joy of
GIVING
Severine Saldanha, Mangalore sponsorship of the orphans in your Ashram.
Please accept my kind donation of `.10,000 Please pray for us. Thank you.
for the benefit of the orphan boys under your
care. Kindly pray for my family’s good health. Dr. Pilloo P. Hakim,Mumbai
Thanking you.
I am sending herewith a cheque of `.1,000
towards the sponsorship Scheme. Please pray
Gina Fernandes, Mumbai for me and my family’s good health and that we
Attached is a cheque of `.5,000 for your may overcome all our problems.
charitable activities, especially taking care of S.N.Irani, Mumai
orphan boys. Please remember us in your daily I enclose a cheque `.1,111/- as my Easter Gift
prayers. Thank you. for the orphan boys in your Balbhavan. Please
pray for my husband to progress in his business,
M. J. Pereira, Pune my sons to do well in their studies and for my
mother’s early recovery from illness. Thank you
Enclosed is a cheque of `.3,000 towards the
for your prayers.
Contd. from pg 4 - Easter Joy - A Call for a new beginning in Life
challenged the challenges of the apostles and “The resurrection gives my life meaning and
the early Christians should guide us today as we direction and the opportunity to start over no
celebrate the joy of Easter. matter what my circumstances,” says Robert
Flatt and it is true for us too. Easter gives our
Easter: new beginning
life meaning and opportunity to start anew. I
Empty tomb of Jesus filled the apostles with faith am influenced by the words of Philips Brooks
and a ray of hope had shown on their faces. who said that every man and woman count
Apostles celebrated their new life in Jesus as himself/herself immortal. Let him/her catch the
they heard the message of resurrection of Jesus revelation of Jesus in his resurrection. Let him/
Christ. Hence, we celebrate Easter every time her say not merely, ‘Christ is risen,’ but ‘I shall
when we bring hope into a challenging situation, rise.’ Exactly, the true joy of Easter celebration is
when we bring joy, when we forgive and when we the celebration of the resurrection of the self, not
live by the impulse of the spirit. Usually, we look anything else because there is no new beginning
for Jesus outside and satisfied with the external without the rise of the self. Let us all enjoy the joy
celebration of Easter but we are called this time of our own resurrection to have a new beginning
to look for Jesus to rise from within. Jesus who is like the apostles who experienced their own self
buried in our own lives with our entanglements as they celebrated the resurrection of Jesus.
of worldly desires of the flesh and sin should rise
and rule our life in and through.
Agnel Ashram News 16 April 2021SAFE & NORMAL DELIVERY prayed to Ven. Fr. Agnel to avoid operation. I
am very happy to say that through his blessing
Canada: My pregnancy was very complicated the operation was averted. In thanksgiving an
as there was a tumor in the womb. I was very offering of Rs.500.
much tensed. In distress, I entrusted myself to
the protection of Ven. Fr. Agnel and fervently -Vishnu B.Satve
prayed to him for my safe confinement and
normal delivery. I am now very happy to inform DEGREE COMPLETED & LUCRATIVE
that through the blessing of Ven. Fr. Agnel, I had JOB SECURED
a safe and normal delivery of a healthy baby boy. Andheri: My son passed 12th std. with very
Today I have come to the Ashram with my little low percentage of marks. However, he appeared
son with an offering of Rs. 500. for CET exam. During his exam I was fervently
-Sharon D’Souza praying to Ven. Fr.Agnel and through his blessing
he scored very high percentage and got admission
PERMANENT VISA SECURED to engineering course in a reputed college in the
city. But he would fall sick very often and during
Virar: My son is working in Australia but he the 8th semester my son was admitted to hospital
did not have permanent visa. I came to the 6 times and lost one year. During those days I
Ashram on Sundays and joined Novena service kept praying to Ven. Fr.Agnel for my son. I am
and prayed to Ven. Fr. Agnel for my son. I am now very happy to inform you that my faith in
very happy to say that through his intercession Ven. Fr.Agnel was strengthened as my son passed
he secured a permanent visa. I am very grateful Degree in Computer Engineering in September
to Ven. Fr. Agnel in thanksgiving an offering of with high marks and also got, very lucrative job
Rs. 200. near our house in a reputed firm. My profound
-Josephine Pereira gratitude and homage to Ven. Fr.Agnel with an
offering of Rs. 8000.
-Gracy Mendonca
SECURED GOOD JOB ABROAD
Doha Qatar: I am a firm devotee of Ven. Fr.
Agnel since my school days and through his ACUTE PAIN CURED
blessings I had a successful career. Today I have Goa: Last one month, I was suffering from acute
secured a good job in Qatar and I am doing well. pain in the lower abdomen and in the pelvic area
As a token of my sincere thanks I am sending my to an alarming proportion. It was a desperate
offering of Rs..7500 to Ven. Fr. Agnel. situation in many ways. I could not take time
-Visha George off to visit a doctor due to work pressure, as my
financial position was bad those days. Doctor
started treatment. I prayed to Ven. Fr. Agnel
with deep faith. To my great surprise within 10
OPERATION AVERTED
days the pain disappeared. I am grateful to Ven.
Antop Hill: I was going to my native place. Fr. Agnel with an offering of Rs. 150.
We were travelling by tempo which suddenly
-Rita Gonsalves
overturned. I hurt my head. I was taking
treatment. Doctor advised an operation. I
Agnel Ashram News 17 April 2021Out of Their Bounty
Sosamma Saji U.A.E. 100000 B.G. Desai Mumbai 1000 Pascal Fernandes Mumbai 500
P Srivastava Mumbai 35000 Y.M. Mistry Navsari 1000 Justine Fernandes Kerala 700
M. D’Souza Kerala 25000 V.N. Heldt Secunderabad 1000 Philomina Pinto Chikmagalore 3000
S.P. Suman Mumbai 25000 S. Sebastian Tamil Nadu 1000 Roshni D’Silva Mumbai 500
J.D. Divecha Mira Road 12000 P. Fernandes Chennai 1000 K.S. Rao Mumbai 500
Nancy Swamy Mumbai 10000 L. D’Cruz Kerala 1000 Janina Gomes Kalyan 500
C. Francis Kerala 10000 J. Sebastian Kerala 1000 G Veeramani T.N. 500
Urve Agency Bhayander 8000 Jansamma George Kerala 1000 Charmaine Jonah Kolkata 500
W.A. D’Silva Mumbai 6056 Santosh Paul Delhi 1000 John Baptist T.N. 500
W.A. Draper U.S.A. 6022 Gee Thomas Kerala 1000 Shanu Lazar kerala 500
Joseph & Melini Dubai 5500 A. Mittathany Kerala 1000 Gerty Ernest Kerala 500
W. Sequeira Mira Road 5000 Monthi D’Mello Mangalore 1000 Vishal Puppal Ahmednagar 500
V. Tauro Mumbai 5000 Aruna Fernando Tamil Nadu 500 Flemy Thekketh Kerala 1000
Susan D’Souza Dubai 5000 Sebastian D’Souza Mumbai 1000 Ittoop Menachery Kerala 500
A. D. Patole Mumbai 4000 M.Rajathi Tamil Nadu 300 G. Veeramani Tamil Nadu 500
S. J. kiruba Valan Chennai 3000 Philomina Pereira Mumbai 900 Raul Aranjo Goa 500
J. Abraham Mumbai 3000 Rita Johnson Kerala 800 Paul Mathai. Banglore 4000
Abraham Daniel Kerala 3000 Michael Jose Mumbai 600 Hanuman Paswan Thane 450
Betty Joseph Kerala 3000 A.D. Kharban Mumbai 600 Thomas Mendes Vasai 400
Sunita Inigo T.N. 3000 A. D’Souza Dombivli 555 Ignatius Bandya Bhayander 400
Bulbul Dutt Kolkata 2500 Sanjay V. Badhe Mumbai 501 Dilip Parkhe Raigad 400
G. Mampara U.S.A. 2947 R. Aanthan Chennai 501 Sachi Tuscano Vasai 350
C. Jose U.S.A. 2899 Pervez J. Mehta Mumbai 501 M.j Harris Madya Pradesh 50
Mani T.P. Kerala 2658 athew F. Pinto Mumbai 500 M.K. Chesson Mumbai 300
T.G. George Pune 2500 Hazel Rebello Bhayander 500 A.V. Francis Chennai 300
A. Coutinho Vasai 2000 M.Irudayaraj Tamil Nadu 750 A. Wilfred Tamil Nadu 2000
A. Jagtiani Mumbai 2000 Pranali Ghodake Ahmednagar 500 Stella Thomas Pondicherry 300
S. Jadhav U.K. 1942 Shane Marthus Mumbai 500 Sandeep N. Bhatt Mumbai 201
J. Clarke London 1732 Gregory T. Gadai Uttan 500 S. Devadas Pillai Mumbai 201
V. Ranali Thane 1500 B.M. Malu Bhayader 500 C.F.Dennis Kerala 500
Krish Kanjani Mumbai 2000 R.E. Machado Vasai 500 T.M. Pinto Mubai 200
R.N. Hazarika Tamil Nadu 1500 P.M. Gosavi Dhule 500 J. Mariya Vasai 200
V Sophia Tamil Nadu 500 K.M. Gosavi Dhule 500 R.B. Dalko Vasai 200
Anne Fernandes Mumbai 2000 J. Srinivas Mumbai 500 Precilla Pereira Vasai 200
Juuliana Fernandes Mumbai 2000 Noble Simon Kerala 500 Rija Anna Francis Kerala 2000
Anita J. Macwan Gujarat 2000 Jatin Desai Valsad 500 Isabel Hendricks. Tamil Nadu 2000
Jignesh S. MacwanGujarat 2000 Ashok Patel Mumbai 500 Prema Indirani T.N. 200
P. John Joseph T.N. 1500 Phulu Chakauri Bhayander 500 Jacob Puther Kerala 5000
Calistus Roche T.N. 1500 Martha Gosalves Bhayander 500 Edwin David Bangalore 500
Rani C. Vanjare Ahmednagar 1500 Sean E.Pearl B. Bhayander 500 Sunita Inigo Tamil Nadu 3000
Olyvin Dmello Thane 1200 M.t.devassia. Kerala 1000 Sheetal S. Shah Mumbai 101
M. Jamashayed Mumbai 1100 Devdul Amber Bhayander 500 Dr. Vikrant Kharat Ahmednagar 200
John Tharakan Kerala 1020 Pritisha N. Dunga Uttan 500 I.A. Deshbandhu Thane 100
G.S. Rana Thane 1000 N.L. Mathak Vasai 500 S.A. Shetty Kalyan 100
M.P. Joseph Kerala 1000 R.R. Valis Uttan 500 S.V. Shetty Kalyan 100
Joshi D. Rai Bhayander 1000 Parsat Jiva Baria Gujarat 500 Jitendra Shah Mumbai 100
S.P. kartan Vasai 1000 Louis Palande Ahmednagar 100 S. Jibin Pune 500
Amit Gonsalves Vasai 1000 C. Engles Punjab 1000 C.k. Fernandes Gujarat 200
Dormition Boat Bhayander 1000 A. Shirsat Akola 500 M.S. Dharod Mumbai 501
Louis Palande Ahmednagar 100 Soniya Bhatt Mumbai 500 K. Rajpura U.S.A. Mumbai 511
C Vinjor Ahmednagar 2000 Nathal Coutinho Vasai 500 B.S. Katira Mumbai 500
P. Vinus Koli Virar 1000 M.D. Fernandes Delhi 500 B. Geeta Gujarat 500
Shawn Gabriel G. Bhayander 1000 Sunil Lopas Kanyakumari 4000 A.G. Abraham Kerala 500
Velakani Mala B. Bhayander 1000 Conrad T. Soares Mumbai 500 A. Varghese Bangalore 500
Prayan Bood Bhayander 1000 Gloria S. Pereira Vasai 500 A. D’Souza Mumbai 500
P.M. Gourabian Mumbai 1000 P. B. Daruwalla Mumbai 500 S. Gomes Kolkata 500
K.C. Wadia Mumbai 500
Agnel Ashram News 18 April 2021Agnel Ashram News 19 April 2021
2021-2023
2021-2023
Agnel Ashram News 20 April 2021You can also read
